What's your purpose? I’ve been thinking a lot about my purpose in life lately. I’ll tell you about mine in a sec, but first, why is it even important? You might have noticed this basic fact – with your friends, kids/partner if you have them, colleagues, employees – if someone knows why they are doing something, they’re more likely to do it. In my previous role as an HR consultant and trainer, I used use the example of a factory production line. If you say to an employee “put this bit of metal...
over 1 year ago • 3 min read
5 ways I avoid burnout Life can be so exhausting, right? Between family commitments, work commitments, general life admin, spiralling costs of everything, perimenopause, the state of the world, and general life and house admin, it’s no wonder almost 30% of women say they’re burned out. I’m going to share my top 5 tips for avoiding burnout – but first, here’s my story. I burned out hard in April 2021. I’d been expecting to leave my HR business in 2020, with Shine already being in my mind as my...
over 1 year ago • 4 min read
Testing times What a difficult few weeks it seems to have been, for everyone. The weather is mostly miserable, the world seems a very sad place, and not one person I’ve spoken to in recent days seems to be having it easy… It seems that a lot of us could do with a pick me up. With that in mind, I’m planning a little evening retreat for a small group of women. You’ll wear your cosiest outfit and drift away as we take part in a relaxing meditation to soothing sounds. Amid twinkling fairy lights...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
Finding the words This week I find it hard to find words. Not only did I lay my Dad to rest this week, but I see terrible violence in other parts of the world and it breaks my heart even more. So my only message this week is, hold those you love close to you if you are still lucky enough to have them. The link below will take you to Unicef’s appeal for the families of Gaza, if you are able to donate. Support the children of Gaza Big love ❤️ Kirsten xxx Kirsten Smith Coach | Trainer | Retreat...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
How do you rest? Rest is something we seem to have been taught (as women especially) to fear or feel guilty about.We're always "on" - I know that personally, I constantly have a to do list running through my brain, and it's taking some real practice to learn how to silence that inner voice and find ways to truly rest. I’ve done this by being strict about phone time, making lists whenever I need to brain dump, and prioritising my own need to rest over almost everything else in my life.Things I...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
What feeds your soul? “What feeds your soul?” She asked me. I stared at her blankly. What the hell did she mean?! My mind raced for an answer, until she eventually elaborated, while I mumbled something about cooking, the gym and seeing family and friends, as if I was reading from the hobbies section of my first CV. I’d gone to see the practitioner who became my therapist, eventually. That simple question floored me. I was a few months post separation, a newly single Mum to an almost...
over 1 year ago • 3 min read
You have until midnight... Retreat bookings go live to everyone else tomorrow, and the discount code expires then! So - get booking so you can join me for fun, connection, activities, learning, and lots and lots of relaxation... As a reminder, there are two options – pay in full now to receive the bonus pack (available to the first 3 people to pay in full): 1 hour 121 coaching An exclusive Shine hoodie in the size of your choosing A Shine self care pack including a candle, eye mask and lots...
over 1 year ago • 1 min read
Non negotiables I’ve been having to draw (and redraw) a lot of boundaries recently. It’s something I’ve honed pretty well over the years! But people still overstep them all the time. And they have to be re drawn. It got me thinking about a conversation I had with my coach, quite a while ago now, about boundaries, after someone had been pushing at one of mine. I was struggling for a way forward, and trying to work out where there was “give” – i.e. where I could negotiate, and where I could...
over 1 year ago • 2 min read
Picking your battles This week I seem to have been dealing with many battles. Some personal, some professional, and some on my Dad’s behalf as I navigate dealing with his estate. It occurs to me that I ALWAYS fight back when things feel unfair or unjust. One of my values in life is fairness. You will always find me looking to be the fairest I can be in any situation. And I expect it from others too, in relationships personal and professional. But I don’t always get it, and it makes my blood...
over 1 year ago • 3 min read